Handmade & Vintage Buttons for Sewing

Start with size and attachment. Buttons are sold in ligne (40L equals 1 inch); a shirt usually wants 16-20L, a coat 30-45L. Sew-through buttons have 2 or 4 holes and lie flat; shank buttons sit raised on a loop, which suits thick wool and chunky knits. Match material to use: ceramic and glass buttons read decorative and handle cool washing, wood and coconut shell feel organic on cardigans, leather and horn lean rustic, while corozo (tagua nut) mimics horn and takes dye well. For knitwear, oversized 1-1.5 inch wood or ceramic shank buttons are the popular pick. Expect $4-$15 for a small set of handmade ceramic or polymer-clay buttons, $8-$30 for larger artisan sets, and a few dollars for vintage mixed lots. Many makers ship stock buttons in 3-7 business days; custom-glazed or hand-painted sets often run 1-3 weeks. Check the listed back type, hole count, and whether the price is per button or per set before you buy.

Use the on-page filters for material, size, and back type, then scan related searches to jump to specific looks like wood toggles or vintage glass.